Chronology of Video Game Systems

Copyright © 2002-2024 Ken Polsson
internet e-mail: ken@kpolsson.com
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to create web links
to this site, not to copy these pages to other web sites.
URL: http://kpolsson.com/vidgame/

References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2023 October 25.

1992

January
  • In Las Vegas, Nevada, the Winter Consumer Electronics Show is held. Nintendo announces that a CD-ROM drive for the Super NES will be introduced in January 1993. [639.70] [1134.112]
January 9
  • Nintendo of America lowers the suggested retail price of the Super Nintendo from US$199.95 to US$179.95. Price of the Game Boy is lowered from US$89.95 to US$79.95. [207.D4]
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show. A scene shows an arcade video game, Larry the Looter. [762]
January
  • Atari shuts down sales of the Atari 2600 and 7800 systems. 3.77 million Atari 7800 systems sold in the US. [1395.53]
  • Sega Enterprises lowers the price of the Genesis game system from US$190 to US$149, and includes the game Sonic the Hedgehog. [124.362] (June 1991 [315.42])
  • The first issue of Sega Force magazine is released, in the UK. [1391.252]
  • Capcom releases the Mega Man IV video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [420.68]
January 24
  • Hudson releases the Ninja Gaiden video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.81]
(month unknown)
  • Novalogic begins work on Super Mario's Wacky Worlds for the CD-i. (The project is cancelled in June 1993.) [786.60]
February 13
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show. A character refers to a yo-yo as "not much competition for a video game". [763]
February
  • Acclaim releases the Super Smash TV video game for the Super NES in the US. [1420.64]
  • Konami releases The Legend of the Mystical Ninja video game for the Super NES in the US. [422.74] [1194.84] [1420.64]
  • Archie Comics magazine debuts the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. [475.112]
  • Capcom releases the Mega Man II video game for the Game Boy in the US. [420.71]
February 20
  • Nintendo asks a United States trade representative to cite Taiwan for failing to stop piracy of video game cartridges, wohich would lead to Taiwan being assessed punitive duties to their exports to the US. [195.D3]
March
  • Nintendo releases the Dragon Warrior III video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. The game had been previously released in Japan for the Famicom as Dragon Quest III. [298.48] [1413.55]

    vvv advertisement vvv

    ^^^ advertisement ^^^
March 31
  • Unit sales of Nintendo Game Boy game systems over the past twelve months: about 10.5 million. [271.D4]
April 3
  • NCS releases the Macross 2036 video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.81]
  • United States District Court Judge Barbara Caulfield rules that Accolade infringed Sega Enterprises' copyright in creating Sega Genesis videogame cartridges. This ruling effectively outlaws disassembling computer programs. [37.16] [46] [1460.385]
April 11
  • Nintendo releases the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the UK. Price is 149 pounds. [1340.22]
April 12
  • The jury of a Federal District Court in Los Angeles, California, finds Sega Enterprises guilty of infringing an American inventor's patent, ordering US$33 million paid. The jury finds that the infringement was intentional, so the judge can triple the fine. The inventor's attorney will seek an order barring the sale of video games by Sega. [196.D4]
April 13
  • Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past video game for the Super NES in the US. [304.152] [406.33] [452.9] [453.42] [591.96] [608.101] [637.9] [1159.88] [1161.79] [1420.65] [1438.42] (April 1 [401]) (May 1 [1134.83]) (August [451.9])
April
  • Nintendo drops the price of the Nintendo Entertainment System in the UK to 49.99 pounds. [1340.22]
  • Konami releases the Contra III: The Alien Wars video game for the Super NES in the US. [304.142] [1159.94] [1420.64]
  • T&E Soft releases the True Golf Classics: Pebble Beach video game for the Super NES in the USA. [1159.101]
April 23
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show. A convenience store includes two arcade video game systems. [764]
April 24
  • Hudson releases the Star Parodia video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.81]
May 1
  • In the lawsuit of Atari versus Nintendo, a jury in a San Francisco courtroom finds that Nintendo's licensing program had not hurt Atari. The jury concludes that Nintendo did not try to monopolize the video game market. However, the jury is deadlocked on the issues of illegal maintenance of a monopoly and unfair restraint of trade. [124.417] [197.42] [1094.28]
  • Nintendo announces a reduction of the price of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [124.418]
May 7
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show. A character says "Let's go to the arcade". [765]
May 14
  • Federal District Court Judge Fern Smith drops the remaining charges by Atari against Nintendo, based on the jury's finding that Atari did not suffer from Nintendo's licensing practices, and that it was not proven that Nintendo intended to monopolize the video game market. [124.417] [198.40]
May
  • The US Court of Appeals upholds the July 1991 decision in favor of Lewis Galoob Toys against Nintendo over the alleged infringement of the Game Genie on Nintendo copyrights. [201.D3]
  • Production begins on a Super Mario feature film, starring Bob Hoskins (Mario) and Dennis Hopper (King Koopa). [124.193]
  • Absolute releases the Race America video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [514.28]
  • Atlus releases the Wacky Races video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [514.28]
  • Mindscape releases the Roundball: 2 on 2 Challenge video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [514.28]
May 20
  • Sega of America announces a partnership with Sony Electronic Publishing to develop video games on compact disks. Sega plans to introduce in November a CD-ROM player for the Sega Genesis game system, for US$299. [199.D5]
May 28
  • The Summer Consumer Electronics Show is held in Chicago, Illinois, over four days. For the first time, the public is allowed in for the last two days.
    • Nintendo has a 76,000 square foot booth, the largest in the history of the trade show.
    • Nintendo announces it will sell the Super Nintendo system with one controller for US$99.95 in the US, or US$149.95 with two controllers and Super Mario World.
    • Sega announces a price drop of the Genesis to US$99.99 with one controller, and the GameGear to US$99.99.
    • Turbo Technologies drops the price of the TurboGrafx-16 to US$69.99 or $99.99 including Bonk's Revenge and Keith Courage.
    [710.58] [711.13.24] [1347.102] [1490.76]
June 10
  • Capcom releases the Street Fighter II Championship Edition arcade video game in the US. [715.93] [1167.36]
June
  • Konami releases the King's Quest V video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [719.92]
  • Nintendo announces it will release a CD-ROM drive for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993. [124.383]
June 22
  • Data West releases the Rayxanber III video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.80]
June 24
  • At a meeting in Sony headquarters in Japan, president Norio Ohga decides to break from making a Nintendo-compatible 16-bit machine, and "chart our own course". [1298.128]
(month unknown)
  • Midway releases the Super Spy Hunter video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. [397.59]
  • Capcom releases the Darkwing Duck video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
  • Capcom releases the Gargoyle's Quest II video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
  • Capcom releases the G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
  • Capcom releases the Gold Medal Challenge video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
  • Capcom releases the Mega Man 4 video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
  • Capcom releases the Mega Man 2 video game for the Game Boy in the US. [715.93]
  • Capcom releases the Snow Bros. Jr. video game for the Game Boy in the US. [715.93]
  • Capcom releases the Magic Sword video game for the Super NES in the US. [715.93]
  • Capcom releases the Super Buster Bros. video game for the Super NES in the US. [715.93]
  • Watara releases the SuperVision handheld video game system in the USA. It features 160x160 pixel screen, four green shades, 4MHz 65C02 processor. Price in the USA is US$44.95, with games costing about US$15 each. [1091.92] [1139.90]
  • Atari officially retires the Atari 2600 video game system. [1180.29] [1362.25]
July 2
  • Atari withdraws its appeal of the verdict in the antitrust case against Nintendo. Nintendo agrees not to persue legal costs from Atari. [200.D3]
July 7
  • Federal District Court Judge Fern Smith awards Lewis Galoob Toys US$15 million against Nintendo regarding the Game Genie Video Game Enhancer. [201.D3]
July 10
  • Hudson releases the Soldier Blade video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.81]
July
  • Nintendo cuts the price of the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US to US$99, but no longer includes a game cartridge. [334.34]
  • Capcom releases the Street Fighter II: The World Warrior video game for the Super NES in the USA. Price is US$70. (1.5 million copies are sold in the first six months.) [234.D6] [328.56] [458.29] [664.48] [715.93] [1159.94] [1347.52] [1420.66]
  • Capcom releases the Street Fighter II video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the USA. [334.34]
July 20
  • Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, rules with a different interpretation of the Fair Use Doctrine in the case of Sega vs. Accolade. [1460.306]
(month unknown)
  • Tandy introduces the Video Information System (VIS) multimedia player. It features CD-ROM drive, CD audio player, infrared remote controller, and audio/video output to a television set. Microsoft announces it is developing a ROM version of Modular Windows for it. Tandy will license the VIS format to other drive manufacturers. VIS players by Zenith and Radio Shack are expected to be priced at about US$700. [647.40]
  • Interplay releases the Mario Teaches Typing software for MS-DOS personal computers. It includes Nintendo characters Mario, Luigi, and Princess Toadstool. [523.139] [530.29]
August 1
  • Nintendo releases the Mario Paint video game and mouse controller for the Super NES in the USA. [401] [1159.92] [1161.79] (May [871.38])
August 9
  • Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game Version 1.0 to arcades in the US. [460.76] [808]
August
  • Nintendo releases the Kirby's Dream Land video game for the Game Boy in the USA. The name comes from Donkey Kong trial lawyer John Kirby. [1161.79] [1494.44]
  • Konami releases the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time video game for the Super NES in the USA. [1159.99] [1420.64]
August 18
  • Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game Version 2.0 to arcades in the US. [808]
August
  • Famicom Space World '92 is held in Japan. [1489.73]
August 28
  • A US Court of Appeals reverses the decision in Sega Enterprises versus Accolade, which was ruled in Sega's favor in April. The new ruling in the game cartridge copyright infringement suit accepts Accolade's claim of "fair use" of Sega's copyrighted games, to learn how to create other games for the Sega game console, which were then created without knowledge of the disassembled object code. This ruling allows software developers to learn from hidden software interfaces, when no other means is available. [46]
August
  • 30th Annual Amusement Machine Show (JAMMA) is held in Tokyo, Japan. [1489.74]
August 31
  • Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game Version 3.0 to arcades in the US. [808]
August (month)
  • Top selling Super NES video game for the month in the USA: Street Fighter II. [1489.22]
  • Top selling Nintendo Entertainment System video game for the month in the USA: Tecmo Super Bowl. [1489.22]
  • Top selling Game Boy video game for the month in the USA: Super Mario Land. [1489.22]
  • Top selling Lynx video game for the month in the USA: Steel Talons. [1489.22]
  • Top selling Sega Genesis video game for the month in the USA: NHLPA Hockey '93. [1489.22]
  • Top selling Game Gear video game for the month in the USA: Out Run Europa. [1489.22]
  • Top selling TurboGrafx-16 video game for the month in the USA: Cosmic Fantasy 2. [1489.22]
September 1
  • Nintendo releases the Super Mario Kart video game for the Super NES in the US. (Guiness World Records lists Super Mario Kart as the most influential title in gaming history.) [304.142] [401] [458.41] [871.38] [1159.92] [1348.135] [1420.66] [1494.134]
September 13
  • A US Court of Appeals rules that reverse engineering is a legitimate business practice. The ruling comes in the Nintendo versus Atari copyright infringement case. The court rules, however, that Atari had infringed Nintendo copyrights for other reasons. [203.D3]
September
  • Tengen loses its appeal against Nintendo, and has to recall its game cartridges for the Nintendo Entertainment System. [124.259]
  • Nintendo loses an appeal against the decision allowing Lewis Galoob Toys to manufacture and sell the Game Genie. [124.288]
  • Capcom releases the Bionic Commando video game for the Game Boy. [1348.121]
  • Nintendo releases The Super Scope light gun controller for the Super NES in the USA. [1161.79]
  • Namco releases the Wings 2: Aces High video game for the Super NES in the USA. [1135.116]
September 21
  • In Tokyo, Japan, Jeff Hansen of the US defeats Yuichi Suyama of Japan. to become the World Nintendo Champion. [714.7]
September 27
  • Enix releases the Dragon Quest V video game for the Super Famicom in Japan. (2.8 million copies are sold over its lifetime.) [298.48,51]
September 28
  • Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game Version 4.0 to arcades in the US. [808]
October 1
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character is playing a handheld video game strongly resembling a Nintendo Game Boy. [774]
October 5
  • Nintendo releases the Final Fantasy Mystic Quest for the Super NES in the US. [869.19]
October 10
  • Nintendo releases the Metroid II: The Return of Samus video game for the Game Boy. [779.25] (1991 [359.134])
  • Turbo Technologies releases the TurboDuo in Los Angeles and New York, for US$299.99, including Bonk's Adventure, Bonk's Revenge, Gate of Thunder, Ys Book I and II. [674.38] [1348.96]
October 13
  • Nintendo and Sony reach an agreement on a standard for CD-ROM players for a new video game system that can play Super NES cartridges and CD-ROMs. Nintendo will license all game software, and Sony will license, through Nintendo, all other software types. [124.387] [204.D14] [325.88]
October
  • Acclaim releases the Double Dragon III video game for the Game Boy. [1348.122]
  • The first issue of Gamefan magazine is released. [1391.252]
  • The first issue of Nintendo Magazine System magazine is released, in the UK. [1391.252]
  • Nintendo releases the Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the USA. [1159.92] [1161.79]
  • Enix releases the Dragon Warrior IV video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES in the US. The game had been previously released in Japan for the Famicom as Dragon Quest IV. [296.106] [298.48] [715.93] [1159.99] [1348.134]
  • Nintendo announces that it plans to unveil a 32-bit CD-based video game player in August 1993. [325.88]
October 20
  • The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decides to dismiss the appeal by Sega to review the August 28 ruling in favor of Accolade. [537.12]
November 8
  • Sega of America releases the Sega CD Multimedia Entertainment System, with a CD player, for US$299. The unit is an add-on product for the Genesis system. It features MC68000 processor, two music CDs, and 2 game discs, including Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective, Columns, Golden Axe, Revenge of Shinobi, Streets of Rage, and Super Monaco GP1. [124.384] [233.D5] [325.87] [332.28] [333.36] [432.44] [674.38] [1348.58] (October 15 [1362.25] [1460.454])
November 12
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. One scene shows children playing in a video game arcade. [775]
November
  • Hudson Soft releases the Felix the Cat video game for the NES in the USA. [1135.116]
  • Nintendo releases the Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins video game for the Game Boy in the USA. (Total sales: 11.09 million.) [412.24] [453.42] [1161.79] [1420.84]
  • The first issue of Super Play magazine for Nintendo video game users is released, in the UK. [1391.252]
November 24
  • Sega releases the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 video game for the Genesis and Game Gear game systems. Sega calls the day "Sonic 2sday". [304.132] [396.24] [779.38] [1314.31] [1348.128] [1489.6]
December 2
  • The US Federal Trade Commission announces it is closing the case of its two-year investigation of Nintendo, with no further action being warranted. [124.420] [205.D4]
December 3
  • The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character says "Ms. Pacman struck a blow for women's rights" (in the spring of 1983). A flashback scene shows kids playing "early" arcade video games: Mumblity Peg, Stickball, and Kick the Can. [776]
December 11
  • Naxat releases the Nexzr video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.80]
December
  • Square releases the Final Fantasy V video game for the Super Famicom in Japan. (Total sales over its lifetime: 2.5 million.) [556.99]
  • Capcom releases The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse video game for the Super NES in the USA. [712.8] [715.93] [1159.99] [1420.67]
  • Capcom releases the Mega Man V video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [420.69]
  • Capcom releases the Mega Man III video game for the Game Boy in the US. [420.71]
December 31
  • Unit sales of Nintendo Game Boy game systems worldwide to date: 32.2 million. [124.340,419]
  • Unit sales of Nintendo Entertainment Systems worldwide to date: 64.2 million. [124.416]
  • Unit sales of Super Nintendo Entertainment System game systems worldwide to date: 17.8 million. [124.419]
Year
  • Unit sales of Nintendo Game Boy systems in Europe during the year: 6 million. [124.416]
  • Unit sales of Nintendo Entertainment Systems in Europe during the year: 3.5 million. [124.416]
  • Unit sales of Super Nintendo Entertainment Systems during the year: 5.6 million. [1460.449]
  • Unit sales of Sega Genesis during the year: 5.1 million. [1460.449]
  • Unit sales of video game machines in the US during the year: 27 million. [43.51] [353.24]
  • During the year, 170 million game cartridges for the Nintendo Entertainment System are sold, worth about US$7 billion. [124.7]
  • Unit sales of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 video game during the year: 2 million. [332.28]
  • Unit sales of Street Fighter II video game during the year: 1 million. [332.28]
  • Unit sales of The Legend of Zelda video game during the year: 1 million. [332.28]
  • Market share of US video game industry: Nintendo 52%, Sega 38%. [349.35]
  • Unit sales of Sega-CD video game system in the US: 200,000 [1444.69]
End of 1992. Next: 1993.

vvv advertisement vvv

^^^ advertisement ^^^

1947-1975 1976-1980 1981 1982 1983 1984-1986 1987-1988 1989 1990 1991
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011-2012
2013-end


A list of references to all source material is available.

Last updated: 2023 October 25.
Copyright © 2002-2024 Ken Polsson (email: ken@kpolsson.com).
URL: http://kpolsson.com/vidgame/
Link to Ken P's home page.

vvv advertisement vvv

^^^ advertisement ^^^
History Timelines Postage Stamps Today in History
PCs Video Games Timeline Today
Amiga World Silly This Day
Apple Space Coins Sports
Commodore 64 Impacts Corvettes Disney
Processors Sports Cruise Ships USA
Corvettes Gambling Disney Music
World War II Weather Errors PC and Game
Sweden Earthquakes Novelties TV and Movies
A&W USA Births Finder Anniversaries
A&W Canada Deaths
Postage Stamps Dow Jones Coins Chevrolet Corvettes
Walt Disney Co. Television Timeline: Canada Timeline
Disneyland Cruise Ships Timeline: USA Racing Success
Walt Disney World Oak Island Timeline: World On Stamps
Disney Cruise Line Killing JFK Novelties Pop Culture
Canada coins On Stamps
USA coins Other
World coins Mug Shots(A&W)
Stuff For Sale

Privacy Policy

kpolsson.com does not collect or share personal information. I have better things to do. There are links to advertiser sites that are beyond my control, from which I may receive a placement fee or a sale commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.